Sarada | |
|---|---|
| Born | Saraswati Devi (1945-06-12)12 June 1945 (age 80) |
| Other names | Urvasi Sarada |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1955; 1961–present |
| Spouse(s) | Chalam (m.1972; div. 1984) |
| Awards | National Film Award for Best Actress (3) |
| Constituency | Tenali |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Telugu Desam Party |
Thadiparthi Saraswati Devi (born 12 June 1945), better known by her stage nameSarada, is an Indian actress and politician. Though known for her work predominantly inTelugu films andMalayalam films, she has also appeared inTamil,Hindi as well asKannada language films.[1]
Sarada is a three-time recipient of theNational Film Award for Best Actress for her roles inThulabharam (1968),[2]Swayamvaram (1972), andNimajjanam (1977). She is also known as Urvasi Sarada – the National Film Award for Best Actress was officially designated theUrvasi Award. Sarada also won theNTR National Award by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for her contributions toIndian cinema.[3]
Sarada was born on 12 June 1945[4] as Saraswati Devi inTenali,Madras Presidency,British India (in present-dayGuntur, Andhra Pradesh, India). Her parents Venkateswar Rao and Satyavathi Devi were farmers. She has a brother, Mohan Rao. Sarada was sent toMadras in her childhood to live with her grandmother Kanakamma. Sarada describes her grandmother as a "strict disciplinarian" who in the later days "wouldn't even let the heroes touch her" and allowed "rehearsals only on Sundays".[5] Sarada started to learn dance when she was six. She used to perform duringDasara and other temple festivals. Because of her mother's desire, she learnt dancing. Her mother wanted her to be a "big star in cine field". Though Sarada's father was not too interested in the idea, he did not stop her.
Sarada married Telugu actorChalam, and the couple later divorced. Currently Sarada resides with her brother's family in Chennai.[5]
When she grew up, she started acting inTelugu theatre.[1] Her debut in cinema was with a minor role in theTelugu filmKanyasulkam. However, she returned to theatre after that and did a major role in theTelugu version ofRatha Kanneer, aTamil drama.[5] The play went on to be staged over 100 times inTamil Nadu.[5]
In 1959, she began her career as Sarada. The change in name was attributed to the presence of a few other actors in the industry with the goddess' name, Saraswati.[5] She came under contract toL.V. Prasad, aTelugu producer.[3] Though she didn't get to act in any of his films, she got her formal training in acting under him, including theNavarasa lessons. She largely attributes her performances and growth in the field to this training.[5] Her first break came with theAkkineni Nageswara Rao-starrerIddaru Mitrulu, which was a major hit. Noted for the role in the film, she got acting offers fromTamil andMalayalam films as well.[1]
The year 1965 changed her career as Sarada carved her niche for herself in the Malayalam film industry with her performances inShakuntala,Murappennu,Udhyogastha byP. Venu,Kattu Thulasi andInapravukal.[3] After that, she focused in Malayalam films, acting only a few roles in other languages. Recognition came in 1967 in the form of a national honorary award for her performances in various films of 1966 includingIruttinte Athmavu.[3] The award was the predecessor to theNational Film Award for Best Actress, which was instituted in 1968. In 1969, she won her first National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance inThulabharam. She went on to win the award 2 more times, forSwayamvaram (1972, Malayalam) andNimajjanam (1978, Telugu). She also won theKerala State Film Awards for Best Actress one time.[1] After 1993, she became choosy and accepted only a few films. Her major films of late wereMazhathullikkilukkam (2002, Malayalam),Rappakal (2005, Malayalam),Nayika (2011, Malayalam) andStalin (2006, Telugu).
She owns a chocolate factory named Lotus Chocolates.[3][1] She was elected as a Member of Parliament onTelugu Desam Party ticket from her native town of Tenali.[3] She was one ofWCC members ofHema Committee report.[6]
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| Year | Film | Character | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Kanyasulkam | Minor role | Debut film |
| 1961 | Iddaru Mitrulu | Meena | |
| Tandrulu Kodukulu | |||
| 1962 | Atma Bandhuvu | ||
| 1963 | Valmiki | ||
| Thobuttuvulu | Rukmini | ||
| 1964 | Dagudu Moothalu | ||
| Mairavana | |||
| Murali Krishna | Srilatha | ||
| 1965 | Chaduvukonna Bharya | ||
| 1966 | Shrimati | ||
| Bhakta Potana | |||
| 1968 | Mana Samsaram | ||
| 1969 | Sri Rama Katha[8] | Sita andMahalakshmi | |
| Manushulu Marali | |||
| 1970 | Sambarala Rambabu | ||
| Pasidi Manasulu | |||
| Sisindri Chittibabu | |||
| 1971 | Chelleli Kapuram | ||
| Jeevitha Chakram | Kamala | ||
| Sati Ansuya | |||
| Pagabattina Paduchu | |||
| Amayakuralu | |||
| 1972 | Kalam Marindi | ||
| Manavudu Danavudu | |||
| 1973 | Devudu Chesina Manushulu | ||
| Sarada | Insane Woman | ||
| Vishali (film) | |||
| Mayadari Malligadu | |||
| Mallamma Katha | |||
| Ida Lokam | |||
| Abhimanavanthulu | |||
| 1974 | Urvasi (film) | ||
| Radhamma Pelli | |||
| Premalu Pellilu | |||
| Palle Paduchu | |||
| Harathi | |||
| Devudu Chesina Pelli | |||
| Tulabharam | Radha/Roja | ||
| Adambaralu Anubhandalu | |||
| 1975 | Balipeetam | Aruna | |
| Zamindarugari Ammayi[9] | Parvathi | ||
| Vykunthapalli | |||
| Saubhagyavati | |||
| Bharati (1975 film) | |||
| 1976 | Suprabhatam | ||
| Mahatmudu | |||
| Nimajjanam | Brahmin housewife | National Film Award for Best Actress Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu | |
| 1977 | Daana Veera Soora Karna | Draupadi | |
| Swarganiki Nitchenalu | |||
| Bhale Alludu | |||
| 1978 | Indradhanussu[10] | Shanti and Latha | Double Role |
| Navodayam | |||
| Shivamettina Satyam | |||
| 1979 | Gorintaku | ||
| Karthika Deepam | |||
| Priya Bandhavi | |||
| Captain Krishna | |||
| 1980 | Sardar Papa Rayudu | Seeta | |
| Sannayi Appanna | |||
| Ramudu Parashuramudu | |||
| Rajadhi Raju | |||
| Mangala Gauri | |||
| Sivamethina Satyam[11] | Radha | ||
| Kodalu Vastunaru Jagratha | Janaki | ||
| Kaliyuga Ravana Surudu | |||
| Alludu Pattina Bharatham | |||
| Alayam | |||
| 1981 | Nyayam Kavali | Lawyer Shakuntala | |
| O Amma Katha | |||
| Prema Natakam[12] | Sarada | ||
| Alludugaru Zindabad | |||
| 1982 | Nipputho Chelagatam | Mrs. Ganga Kumar | |
| Justice Chowdary | Radha | ||
| Prathikaram | Lakshmi | ||
| Jagannatha Rathachakralu | |||
| 1983 | Swarajyam | ||
| Raghu Ramudu | |||
| Poratam | |||
| Kumkuma Tilakam | |||
| Kaliyuga Daivam | |||
| Kala Yamudu | |||
| Durga Devi | |||
| Chanda Sasanudu | Bhuvaneswari Devi | ||
| Bandhipottu Rudramma | |||
| Bahudoorapu Batasari | |||
| Aalaya Sikharam | |||
| 1984 | Bobbili Brahmanna | Savitri | wife of Brahmanna |
| Ugra Roopam | |||
| Rowdy | Shantha | ||
| Raaraju | |||
| Marchandi Mana Chattalu | |||
| Katha Nayakudu | |||
| Janani Janmabhoomi | Kachyayani | ||
| Iddaru Dongalu | |||
| Sardar[13] | Bharati | ||
| Chadarangam | |||
| Swathi | Swathi's Mother | ||
| Bharyamani | |||
| Bharatamlo Sankharavam | |||
| 1985 | Adavi Donga | Vasundhara | |
| Vijetha | Saraswathi | ||
| Pattabhishekham | |||
| Palnati Simham | Nagamani | ||
| Maha Sangramam | |||
| Intiko Rudramma | |||
| Illaliko Pariksha | |||
| Devalayam | |||
| Bhale Tammudu | |||
| Bebbuli Veta | |||
| Agni Parvatam | Janaki | ||
| Raktha Sindhuram | |||
| 1986 | Anasuyamma Gari Alludu | Anasuyamma | |
| Apoorva Sahodarulu | |||
| Prathidwani | |||
| Deshoddharakudu | |||
| Dharma Peetam Daddarillindi | |||
| Krishna Garadi | |||
| Jailu Pakshi | |||
| Mister Bharath | |||
| Khaidi Rudrayya | |||
| Kondaveeti Raja | |||
| Muddula Krishnayya | |||
| Kaliyuga Krishnudu | |||
| Ravana Brahma | |||
| 1987 | Sardar Krishnama Naidu | ||
| Agni Putrudu | Brahmaramba | ||
| Collector Gari Abbai | Laxmi Devi | ||
| Bhargava Ramudu | |||
| Kulala Kurukshetram | |||
| Lawyer Bharti Devi | |||
| Muddayi | |||
| Presidentgari Abbayi | |||
| Saradamba | |||
| Ramu | Gayatri Devi | ||
| Ajeyudu | Tulasi | ||
| Repati Swarajyam | |||
| Rotation Chakravarthi | |||
| Samrat[14] | Rajyalakshmi | ||
| Prajaswamyam[15] | Rajeshwari | ||
| Sankharavam | |||
| 1988 | 15 August Rathri | ||
| Brahma Puthrudu | |||
| Dharma Teja | |||
| Donga Ramudu | |||
| Illu Illalu Priyuralu | |||
| Chattamto Chadarangam[16] | Lalitha | ||
| Maa Telugu Talli | |||
| Prajaswayam | |||
| Rakthabishekam | |||
| Raktha Tilakam | Nagamani | ||
| Rowdy No.1 | |||
| Agni Keratalu[17] | Rajeshwari Devi | ||
| Samsaram | Lakshmi | ||
| 1989 | Bhale Donga | SP Indrani | |
| Dhruva Nakshatram | Bharathi Devi | ||
| Dr. Bhavani | |||
| Goonda Rajyam | |||
| Manchi Kutumbam | |||
| Nari Nari Naduma Murari | Sesha Rathnam | ||
| Parthudu | Soubhagya | ||
| Raktha Kanneeru | Sarojini | ||
| State Rowdy | SP Laajmani M. Rao | ||
| Manchi Kutumbam[18] | Savithri | ||
| 1990 | Kadapa Reddamma | ||
| Adadhi | |||
| Kondaveeti Donga | Sambhavi | ||
| Lorry Driver | Collector Lalitha Devi | ||
| Aggiramudu | Justice Janaki Devi | ||
| Dagudumuthala Dampathyam | Lalitha | ||
| Prema Khaidi | Jailor | ||
| 1991 | Amma Rajinama | Amma (Mother) | Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu |
| Coolie No.1 | |||
| Jagannatakam | Manikyamma | ||
| Killer | Malavika | Guardian of Heiress | |
| Nayakuralu | |||
| 1992 | Mother India | Rajyalakshmi | |
| Pellante Noorella Panta | Vasanthi | ||
| 1993 | Major Chandrakanth | Savitri | |
| Mechanic Alludu | Lakshmi | ||
| Pelli Gola | |||
| Evandi Aavida Vachindi | Janaki | ||
| 1994 | Bobbili Simham | ||
| Atha Kodallu | |||
| President Gari Alludu | Prabhavati | ||
| 1995 | Leader | Kausalya | |
| 1996 | Nayanamma | ||
| 1998 | Antahpuram | Narasimha's wife | |
| 2003 | Tholi chupulone | ||
| 2005 | Sankranthi | Mother | |
| 2006 | Stalin | Stalin's mother | |
| 2007 | Aata | Narasimha's wife | |
| Yogi | Shantamma | ||
| 2013 | Sukumarudu | Vardanamma |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Kunkhumam | Susila | Debut in Tamil |
| Thulasi Maadam | |||
| 1964 | Arunagirinathar | Gnanavalli | |
| Vazhkai Vazhvadarke | Chandra | ||
| 1969 | Thulabaram | Vijaya | |
| 1972 | Gnana Oli | Mary | |
| 1974 | Thayi Pirandhal | Lakshmi | |
| 1975 | Ninaithadhai Mudippavan | Seetha | |
| 1976 | Mazhai Megam | Aruna / Suguna | |
| Ennai Pol Oruvan | Laxmi | ||
| 1977 | Aval Thandha Uravu | ||
| Chakravarthi | Shanthi | ||
| 1978 | Pudhu Seruppu Kadikkum | ||
| 1984 | Sarithira Nayagan | Varalakshmi | |
| 1986 | Mr. Bharath | Shanti | |
| 1998 | Anthapuram | Narasimha's wife |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Samaj Ko Badal Dalo | Chhaya | |
| 1973 | Agni Rekha | Nirmala Thakur | |
| 1980 | Pratishodh | ||
| 1982 | Sindoor Bane Jwala | ||
| Main Intequam Loonga | Mrs.Ganga Kumar | ||
| 1984 | Sardar | ||
| 1996 | Sabse Bada Mawali | Malvika | |
| 2008 | Yaar Meri Zindagi | Radha | Started in 1971 |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Valmiki | ||
| 1978 | Maathu Tappada Maga | Latha | |
| 1983 | Simha Gharjane | Sharada | |
| 1984 | Thayi Mamathe | ||
| Pralaya Rudra |
| 1981–1990 |
|
|---|---|
| 1991–2000 |
|
| 2001–2010 |
|
| 2011–present |
|
